Turtles Kingston Blog
Turtle-friendly Road Work
Road maintenance and construction are an essential part of our modern-day lives, but the impact of these activities on the environment can be dramatic! The effects of these activities on the ecosystem, particularly on turtle populations and wetland areas, are concerning and require our attention!
What would happen if turtles went extinct?
Turtles are an essential part of our ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining the balance and health of our environment. They are present in almost every freshwater habitat, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Their impact is far-reaching. So, what would happen if they disappeared?
2023 Turtles Kingston Annual Report
2023 is coming to a close and before it does we wanted to look back on Turtles Kingston’s accomplishments over the 2023 turtle season. In this blog post you will find a detailed summary of what we accomplished in all our programs: education program, nesting program, trauma program, science program, advocacy program, and more.
The Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands are where terrestrial and aquatic habitats intersect, as a result of this they possess a unique mixture of species, conditions and interactions. This makes wetlands among the most dynamic, biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet!
Poached eggs? No thanks!
Most people are familiar with wildlife poaching, but it is often thought of as something that happens in far away places, to exotic wildlife only. Did you know that it happens right here in Ontario?
Grace and Fidelity
Read about Grace, the 125 year old Snapping Turtle that lost her winter brumation site to reckless human development.
Turtle Eggs!
How much do you know about turtle eggs? Do you know when and where turtles lay their eggs? Could you tell a Snapping Turtle egg from a Blanding’s Turtle egg? Learn all about turtle eggs and the differences between our 5 local turtle species!
Everything you need to know about protecting turtle nests
June is what we consider peak nesting season in Kingston. This is the month you are likely to see a nesting turtle. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know to protect a turtle nest!
Road Mitigation - Protecting turtles from cars
Have you noticed the fencing along Princess St / Hwy 2 at the Westbrook Wetlands and wondered how that helps save our local turtle population? There is more to it than a fence…click here to find out!
2022 Turtles Kingston Annual Report
2022 is coming to a close, but before it does we wanted to look back on Turtles Kingston’s accomplishments over the 2022 turtle season. Below you will find a detailed summary of what we accomplished in all our programs: education program, nesting program, trauma program, science program, advocacy program, and more. But, first to summarize…
Pet Turtles and Rehoming
Here at Turtles Kingston, we advocate for turtles and focus on conservation, education, and protecting our native species. We are often asked questions about other turtle related topics, including turtles as pets and how to surrender a pet turtle. In this blog, we will explore why some turtles are kept as pets and what happens when that turtle needs to be rehomed. Please note it is illegal to keep a native turtle as a pet. Native turtles are always best left in their natural environment and territory.
Turtles in Winter
Generally, spring through to late summer is considered “Turtle Season”. When autumn and winter roll around, thoughts veer away from turtles. Do you ever wonder what our turtle friends are doing during the cold of winter? Let’s find out!
Hatchlings on the Move!
As late summer begins, a new phase of development and movement occurs with Ontario’s turtles. The newest generation of turtles that we have been trying so hard to protect begin to emerge from their nests - turtle hatchlings! Allow us to share what we know about Ontario’s turtle hatchling population and how we can help them.
Why are turtles important?
Did you know that turtles are a Keystone Species and that other species depend on their presence in the ecosystem? This means that aside from saving turtles to preserve turtle populations, we save turtles to keep wetland ecosystems healthy. Join us in exploring why turtles are an important part of our wetlands.
Why did the turtle cross the road?
Roads are not a safe place for turtles - road mortality is the second largest reason for turtle population loss - so why do we constantly find them there? Join us in exploring why turtles can't avoid crossing our roadways, and learning about the movements of our turtle neighbours.
Are we interfering with nature?
We are often asked if the actions we take to help the turtle population are interfering with the course of nature. In this month's blog, we explore how turtle conservation strategies effect nature, the extent of our interference, and why we do it!
Protecting Turtle Nests on Public Land
How to protect turtle nests that you find on public property. Our simple Turtles Kingston procedure for nest protection within the City of Kingston.
What to do when you find an injured turtle
As nesting season approaches, we can expect many turtle sightings in our travels, and look forward to helping them when necessary. Unfortunately, many turtles are injured or killed during their movements; read our latest blog post to learn how to help injured turtles on the road, how to safely transport them, and why even a dead turtle can be useful in restoring the population!
Turtles and Construction
Construction projects have long been known to threaten turtles, their eggs, and their hatchlings, but with a few mindful steps, it is simple to prevent turtle mortality during construction work. Join us in learning about what can be done to keep turtles safe during outdoor projects, and celebrating some innovative steps companies have taken to protect native turtles and their breeding grounds.
How do turtles survive the winter?
David Seburn is our guest blogger today. David is a Freshwater Turtle Specialist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. In this post, David will provide insight on where turtles go and how they survive during the winter months - a question many of us have.